In the fourth installment of our Dead to Rights mini-series, Pastor Sonny continues his expository study of 1 Corinthians 9 by exploring why the Apostle Paul renounced his legitimate right to financial support to ensure the Gospel remained free of charge. Focusing on 1 Corinthians 9:15–22, this message examines the necessity of the Christian call and how true obedience requires a daily dying to self to effectively identify with and serve others. Discover how yielding our personal freedoms allows God’s power to be made perfect in our weakness, transforming our rights into a platform for His glory.
1 Corinthians 9:15–22
15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting. 16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.